Clear again — and safer at night.
Cloudy, yellowed headlights aren't just a cosmetic problem — UV-oxidized lenses can cut headlight output by more than half, which matters a lot on unlit Montgomery County back roads at night. Airpark Auto Collision restores foggy plastic headlight lenses to like-new clarity with a wet-sand and clear coat process that lasts, instead of the temporary polish you get from a drugstore kit.
Airpark Auto Collision of Gaithersburg — 7615 Rickenbacker Dr, Suite C, Gaithersburg, MD 20879. Call (301) 908-0606
Modern headlight lenses are polycarbonate plastic with a factory UV-protective clear coat. Years of sun exposure break that coating down, and once it's gone, the bare polycarbonate underneath oxidizes — turning yellow, hazy, and eventually chalky. It happens faster in cars parked outside and accelerates once the clear coat starts to fail, which is why restoration works best before the oxidation goes too deep.
We wet-sand the lens through a series of progressively finer grits to remove the oxidized layer completely, then polish to a clear, glass-like finish. The critical last step — the one drugstore kits skip — is applying a UV-resistant clear coat sealant that protects the restored surface and slows the next round of oxidation significantly compared to an unsealed polish.
Surface oxidation, yellowing, and light hazing respond very well to restoration. Deep pitting, cracks, or moisture inside the housing (a sign of a failed seal) usually mean the housing itself needs replacement rather than restoration — we'll tell you honestly which situation you're in during a quick inspection.
Headlight restoration for a pair typically runs $120–$250 depending on severity and vehicle. With the UV clear coat sealant we apply, results commonly last 1–3 years before touch-up is needed, versus a few months for an unsealed polish. It's a fraction of the cost of new headlight assemblies, which can run $300–$1,000+ per side on many vehicles.
Typically $120–$250 for a pair, depending on the severity of oxidation and the vehicle. It's included free with many collision and body repairs on the same vehicle.
Polycarbonate headlight lenses have a factory UV-protective clear coat that degrades with sun exposure over time. Once it fails, the bare plastic oxidizes and turns yellow or hazy — which also reduces how much light gets through at night.
It depends on the process. A quick polish without a protective clear coat can haze over again within months. Our restoration includes a UV-resistant clear coat sealant, which typically holds up for 1–3 years.
Severely oxidized headlights that significantly reduce light output can be flagged during a Maryland Vehicle Inspection. Restoring them is a straightforward, affordable fix.
If the housing is sealed and intact, restoration is almost always the better value. If there's moisture inside the housing, cracking, or deep pitting, replacement is the more reliable fix — we'll tell you which applies to your vehicle.
Most jobs finish same day, often within an hour or two per vehicle.